Known by many names, wild oregano, European oregano, mountain mint, pizza
herb, and wintersweet, oregano is a common culinary spice found in many
kitchens around the world. It is not one or two well-defined species, but
rather any one of more than two dozen that yield leaves or flowering tops
and have the flavour recognized as oregano. One of the most commonly used
plants, Origanum vulgare is a hardy perennial herb with erect, hairy,
branching stems and hairy leaves, that usually produces purple, but sometimes
pink or white flowers.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is extensively used as a major pizza flavouring
ingredient, and for other foods including alcoholic beverages, baked goods,
milk products, meat and meat products, condiments and relishes, processed
vegetables, and snack foods. Before the introduction of hops, oregano was
used as a flavor when brewing beer. Commonly used dried, the herb and leaves
have approximately 0.1% essential oil, containing the phenols carvacrol
and thymol. These phenols have strong antibacterial, fungicidal, and anthelmintic
properties. This oil has been found to completely inhibit the growth of
food-borne fungi and bacteria, indicating it as a possible alternative to
artificial food preservatives.

Most cultures have long used oregano as a medicinal plant. Aristotle wrote
of oreganos use as an antidote to poisoning. The ancient Greeks used
it both externally and internally as a remedy for many conditions including
dropsy, poisoning, convulsions, sores, and aching muscles.

North American traditional usage suggests oregano as a stimulant, carminative,
nerve tonic, diaphoretic, and as a cure for indigestion, asthma, coughs,
colic, nervousness, spider bites, rheumatism, toothaches, headaches, coronary
conditions, and irregular menstruation. The oil is also reported to have
spasmolytic, expectorant, diuretic, and choleretic properties.

In Europe, oregano has been utilized for the treatment of respiratory ailments,
coughing, bronchitis, and as a mild sedative, expectorant, antispasmodic,
diuretic, and appetite stimulant. In Chinese medicine it is used to treat
vomiting, fevers, diarrhea, itchy skin conditions, and jaundice.

Research has confirmed oreganos traditional use as well as offering
explanations to its effectiveness. The majority of oreganos health
benefits can be traced to its volatile oil. This complex oil contains over
130 medicinally and nutritionally active compounds. Chief among these compounds
are the phenols carvacrol and thymol. These antioxidant compounds act as
exceptionally strong healing and health promoting agents.

Internally, these two phenols effectively support the bodys respiratory,
immune and digestive systems. This action enables oregano to act as a healer
and preventative for a multitude of conditions affecting these vital body
systems.